Culpepper contends that no money was offered for inflicting injury on quarterbacks. “I would have done anything to gain favor with the coaches or my teammates,” Culpepper said.

Complicating matters is that, from 1992 through 1995, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator was Tony Dungy, who enjoys a stellar reputation throughout league and media circles. But the defensive line coach from 1992 through 1994 was John Teerlinck, who found himself summoned to the league office in 1996 for a meeting with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue regarding Teerlinck’s reputation for instructing defenders to go low on quarterbacks.

Before we get too far down the road, let’s recall that during this time it was legal to hit a quarterback below the knee. Never should players be instructed to attempt to hurt another player. At a minimum, Teerlinck’s purported methods were considered in poor spirit and generally unacceptable. It could be argued that they contributed to the climate that made Gregg Williams’ programs possible.

About Todd Smith

Todd Smith is a part-time sportswriter who spends too much time arguing on Twitter. What he really loves is eating poorly and watching football. He got his first Colts t-shirt in 1984 shortly after the Mayflower trucks arrived and has never given up on his hometown team.
He also still holds to the belief that Kordell Stewart stepped out of the end zone and thus cheated the Colts.